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The world’s largest independent airline caterer has announced plans to make the majority of its meals halal.

GateGourmet, which provides meals for all long-haul British Airways flights from Heathrow, wants to standardise production to drive down costs and boost profits.

The caterer has been tempted into the switch by lucrative business available from Middle Eastern and Asian airlines.

Most carriers currently offer a halal option, but these meals need to be prepared,stored and transported separately in order to comply with Muslim dietary rules – making them more expensive.

Removing halal meals from the menu is not an option for a company serving airlines across the globe, but managers at the Swiss-based catering giant believe it makes financial sense to ensure most meals meet with the strict Islamic rules.

‘My aim is to make our large hub operations halal compliant,’ said Guy Dubois, GateGroup.

Mr Dubois said the plans were not driven by social or religious considerations, but simply by cost.

He said: ‘If I produce everything according to halal standards, I will reduce complexity and increase cost effectiveness.’